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Speaking about the new parental leave plans, Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said she hopes children will now be able to spend more of their first year with both parents.

She said: "Crucially this new benefit is non-transferable and is available on a 'use it or lose it' basis."

"This, I hope, will help to incentivise fathers to take more time off work to care for their children than has been the case up to now."

"The evidence shows that when fathers take a more significant and meaningful share in the parenting of their children the individual family benefits - and so does wider society, as by encouraging more fathers to take time off, we are in a position to challenge the existing culture regarding work and gender."

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Parenting

Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration David Stanton added that bill is taking the "final steps" needed to ensure that male same-sex couples receive adoptive leave and benefit too.

"Priority drafting" of the legislation has been approved of the Government to allow for the new measures, while the general scheme was published today.

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